An accidental firing of a .22 rifle has resulted in the death of a 16-year-old girl. According to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Selena Seleste, 16, was taking pictures with Clayton Webb, Jr. of Newton with a rifle when the gun fired and hit Seleste in the chest.

Authorities say Webb fired the weapon.

Seleste was taken to an area hospital and died as a result of the gunshot wound before she could be airlifted to a hospital in Charlotte.

Deputies say a 21-year-old acquaintance of both the victim and the suspect was meeting with both Seleste and Webb to potentially sell the .22 caliber rifle when the accident occurred.

The incident is still under investigation and a report regarding the incident is expected to be submitted to the district attorney’s office when the investigation is concluded.

So far, no charges have been filed in the case.

Injuries or fatalities from an accident involving firearms can come when issues of gun safety are not followed, or they can come when there are defects in a product. While the investigators are looking into why a tragic accident happened in the first place, that is of little comfort to the Read more

North Carolina boaters are typically urged to proceed with caution on the state’s waters, but boaters have recently received a new warning: watch out for whales.

A large number of whales were spotted close to the Farallon Islands early last week, and boating enthusiasts were being warned to operate with caution. In just a single hour, approximately 115 blue, fin, and humpback whales were spotted near the island.

According to Maria Brown, superintendent of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, “We are alerting small boaters and large vessel operators to be on the alert for endangered whales, and to maintain a minimum distance.”

It is important to understand that the risk associated with running afoul of one of these large sea creatures is minimal; however, it is still possible. Boaters are being told to follow federal distance guidelines and maintain a respectable 300 feet of distance from the whales. Previously, a family had an unexpected encounter with a dolphin that resulted in injuries to the family.

Roger Thomas, 80, dean of Bay Area salmon fleet says that there are more whales near the shore than he has ever seen before. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “Whales are all over the place.” Read more

Boating is a popular pastime in North Carolina. Hundreds of people purchase new boats every season with big plans to spend ample time on ocean waters. If you are one of the many in the market for a new boat this year, we urge you to support the students at Cape Fear Community College.

Students in the popular boat-building program will be putting their vessels on the auction block at the end of the month. The custom-made boats are true works of art and as seaworthy as they come. Taking about a year to complete as part of a major class project, the vessels will be ready for purchase by the public.

The wildly popular course has students that range in age from 18 to 80. As part of the course, the students are taught how to build boats through instruction that includes launching and lofting. The course also includes instruction on the proper use of power tools, making prior knowledge unnecessary.

Some of the students are enrolled in the course simply due to a desire to build their own boat. Others want to get into the industry. When that is the case, graduates are able to pick and Read more

According to police, Paul Pelton, 41, recorded video of 17-year-old Zachary Goodin as he lost control of his vehicle after speeding over train tracks then crashing into a home, an SUV and a tree.

Rather than rendering aid to the teens after the accident, Paul Pelton, 41, opened the door of the crashed vehicle while one of the teens was dying and another was critically injured and continued filming even as the vehicle caught fire.

Neighbors to the crash scene came to help pull Goodin out of the vehicle. The passenger, Cameron Friend, 17, was taken unconscious to an area hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

Pelton reportedly posted the video of the tragic accident on Facebook and attempted to sell the footage to local news agencies.

The Lorain Police Department arrested Pelton on charges of vehicle trespass. Police say that Pelton never attempted to render aid to the accident victims but rather attempted to profit off of the misfortune of others in an emergency situation.

North Carolina Invokana lawyers Auger and Auger have begun accepting cases for victims of type 2 diabetes medications including Invokana and similar medications Infokamet, Farxiga, Xigduo XR, and Jardiance. Just two months ago, the FDA released a warning to consumers that taking Invokana may lead to ketoacidosis, a condition that can cause serious complications including coma or death. Invokana and its potential risks and side effects are currently being investigated.

F.D.A. Warning

In May, the Food and Drug Administration issued a public warning regarding Invokana. In that warning, the FDA reported that anyone taking the drug should pay close attention to any side effects they experienced. Difficulty breathing, nausea, abdominal pain, confusion, and unusual fatigue should alert patients to seek immediate medical attention. The drug puts people at risk of developing ketoacidosis, an extremely serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

Invokana and Invokamet

These drugs are SGLT2 inhibitors. That is, when they are combined with a prescribed diet and exercise regimen, the drugs help the patient control their diabetes by lowering blood sugar and improving glycemic control. Invokamet differs slightly in that it is a combination of Invokana and metformin. It is utilized when either drug Read more

Last Sunday, two adults and two children went on a fishing trip on the waters of South Carolina. They were rescued by the Coast Guard on Monday morning, two miles from the wreckage of their capsized vessel.

The group left Remley’s Point just before dawn on Sunday. The boat lost power around 9 a.m., erasing the ability for the group to summon help. As high winds began to kick up powerful waves, the boat overturned and all four aboard were tossed into the water. When no one on the boat was heard from by Sunday afternoon, the spouse of one of the adults on board contacted the Coast Guard.

As the Coast Guard turned into a longer pattern of searches, they spotted an orange life vest being waved in the water by one of the boys. The four had drifted close to two miles from the capsized vessel. Even though they had strayed, through no fault of their own, from the boat, the four would eventually have been found, according to the Coast Guard. Why? Because they did the right thing in telling family members exactly where they were heading.

Riding a jet ski is an exciting way to spend an afternoon. The salt water spraying your face, the wind whistling past your ears…there may be nothing better. Scratch that. Better would be sharing the experience with a friend.

When you ride your jet ski with a passenger, a few things change. Much like riding a motorcycle with someone on the back, you have to be more aware of the added weight as you accelerate, brake, and turn. If you decide to drive a jet ski with a passenger on board, take these tips into consideration.

Life Jackets

Both you and your passenger should be wearing life jackets. If your passenger doesn’t have one, and you don’t have one they can borrow, they don’t get to ride. It really is that simple.

Knowledge

Does your friend know what to do if something were to happen to you? If not, be sure to give them a brief safety lesson before you take off. Your friend should, at a minimum, know how to power the ski, steer it, and put the brakes on.

Face Forward

The time for tricks is not when you have a passenger on board. Make sure your friend Read more

Golf carts aren’t just for the links any longer. Drive through any major city in North Carolina or any tourist town, and you just may find yourself sharing the road with these four-wheeled vehicles. Better yet, you may choose to drive one yourself. The ease of getting around town makes them quite attractive.

Unfortunately, golf carts are not required to pass the same safety standards as traditional motorized vehicles. This can put you and your passengers at very real risk of injury. A lack of regulations has caused these vehicles to be built with little adherence to safety standards. For example:

Tip Overs are Common

Due to their small tires and light weight, golf carts easily tip over when driven carelessly. Even when you drive with purpose, rough, uneven terrain can jostle the vehicles just enough so that they end up on their sides.

Lack of Seatbelts

Very few manufacturers put restraints in their golf carts because, quite simply, they are not required to do so. This leads to one of the main causes of injury and death: falling out of the vehicle.

Open Sides

Golf carts are meant to be entered and exited quickly. Because of this, they Read more

Do you visit the shore and stare longingly at the boats on the water? If so, you aren’t alone. Boating is becoming one of the most popular past times in North Carolina. Unfortunately, some people buy their first boat without any consideration for their safety and the safety of others. If you are new to boating, don’t run out and buy a yacht. Instead, do a fair amount of research and choose a vessel that is right for your skill level…you can always upgrade later. Here’s what to consider:

Type

How do you plan to use the boat? That should be your first consideration. There are three main ways that you can use a boat: fishing, cruising, and watersports.

If you plan on entertaining guests, a cruising boat is a good choice. If you plan to fish, look for a boat designed with that purpose in mind. If your plans include pulling friends and family on rafts or skis, look for a boat designed for watersports.

Size

It is generally recommended that your first boat be no larger than 24 feet. Any boat bigger than this will be loaded with features you won’t understand or need right away. Keep Read more

An incident involving a teen having a grand mal seizure while attending a concert venue has led to a lawsuit being filed by her mother against several Alabama law enforcement agencies and the venue hosting the concert.

The lawsuit alleges that several police officers from Rainbow City and Gadsden used excessive force and gross negligence when handling a medical situation on January 16th during a hip-hop concert. After the artist had left the stage, concert goers stampeded causing the girl to fall and be trampled, thus causing the seizure.

Court documents in the lawsuit allege that an employee of Center Stage, the company that booked the event, “unceremoniously dumped” the teen on the floor in the lobby. Police then proceeded to pin the teen to the ground holding her in a chokehold while using a Taser three times on her. The girl was rendered unconscious and taken to an area hospital. The suit claims that officers joked about the girl’s condition and suggested that she be committed to a mental health facility.

The girl was accompanied by her sister who called their mother who was at home at the time of the incident. When the girls’ mother arrived on Read more

Auger & Auger handled my auto accident case. They provided very professional care and gave me excellent service. They were always just a phone call away. Being in a car accident is such a headache but Auger & Auger make it much easier because they handle everything. I would definitely recommend them and will use them again if needed. D. Foster

I could not be happier with the service I received from Auger and Auger. They handled my case quickly and efficiently without my having to be put out in any way. I provided them with the information they required and checked in with a progress report of my recovery every two weeks. That is it! I was able to focus on getting well while Mr. Auger and his wife handled the rest. I would highly recommend turning to Auger and Auger for assistance in your time of need. Chris R.

Herb Auger did an amazing job! He handled two auto accidents that I was in and each time he was efficient. He ensured that I was informed on everything happening and was thorough in explanations. Anytime I called the office and he was unavailable, he returned my calls promptly. Literally, he left me without any worries or concerns with each accident. I honestly believe that he handed both cases at his professional best. C. Donaldson

Auger & Auger came highly recommended to us once we were involved in an accident at no fault of our own. They were committed to helping us get what was fairly owed to us making sure no corners were cut in their thorough process. Their team was excellent and really made it a personal goal to get to know their clients as the process went along. They are very committed and want to help their clients get the best settlement and fair judgments. I would highly recommend Herbert Auger and his team! Emmanuel A.

I had an auto accident, through no fault of my own, and attorney Auger represented me. He, or his staff, was always available when I had a question, and they checked in with me on several occasions regarding my status. Attorney Auger went over NC laws as they applied to my case, and everything I should expect. I definitely appreciate his service and would use him again. Genny H.

Mr. Auger and his team did an excellent job at handling our accident case involving myself, husband, an daughter.T. Arrington

Mr. Auger and his staff were not only extremely caring, but they fought hard to get me the award that they did on my case. I wholeheartedly recommend Auger & Auger to anyone if you need the very best for attorneysJ.P.

It has been 1 ½ years since our case was closed. We are still very grateful to you for all the hard work you did for us. Your law firm represents dedication, hard work, and interest in its clients. Because of the outcome, we were able to get back on our feet financially after year that Chad was out of work due to his work injury. Thanks again for making that possible. Chad and Susan H.

Dear Herb & Arlene: John and I have been thinking of you. We wanted to thank both of your for all of your efforts to help Jonathan. We’re very glad that the whole situation has been brought to closure for our Jonathan. Thank you for helping to make his future financially secure. John & Denise G.

I was in a very serious automobile accident a few years ago. It was a very turbulent time for me and my family. The mounting medical bills from multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy were almost suffocating. Thankfully, we were referred to Auger & Auger who guided us through this difficult process. Jonathan G

Herb, Just want to say thanks for the professional and timely representation you provided for my case. Your firm prepared the intricate details that clearly explained the multitude of injuries I sustained during my accident, and in turn, showed the mediation team, insurance defense reps and their respective attorneys that my case was strong and compensable. Through the entire ordeal, you gave me the legal, personal, and friendly support and guidance that I needed to journey through the legal system. You were not only my attorney, but became a very good friend. I would recommend Auger and Auger Law to any person who sustains a personal injury. Thanks again for all the help with my case! The best of luck to you and your professional and friendly team at Auger and Auger Law. P.A.

Herb, Thank you for everything. God Bless you and your family. Marek W.

One of the reasons we have had such a blessed year is because of your hard work on our case. S.H

Mr. Auger, Thank you so much for helping us during the year and a half of Charles recovery. We could not have handled it without you. Charles & Kay S.

$700,000 Truck AccidentPretrial settlement for truck driver who sustained back and spine injuries from an accident involving the defendant who ran a red light. The case settled on the eve of trial. (Mecklenburg County)

$300,000 Gunshot WoundNegligent Supervision - Pretrial settlement for minor child who was shot by another minor who gained access to his parent’s handgun. Settled for policy limits on the eve of trial. (Richmond County)

$1,400,000 Automobile/Bike AccidentSettlement at mediation for client, who sustained a closed head injury and multiple fractures requiring surgery. (Mecklenburg County)

$300,000 Motorcycle AccidentClient sustained severe injuries to foot/heal when pushed off of road by automobile that had veered into his lane of travel.

$1,200,000 Worker’s CompensationClient sustained severe head injuries from fall from a height.

$700,000 Wrongful Death/Automobile AccidentSettlement for client killed in head-on collision when other driver fell asleep and crossed the center line of the roadway. (Robeson County)

$100,000 Day Care InjurySettlement for child who sustained multiple lacerations requiring plastic surgery and resulting in permanent scarring when sink collapsed on him at day care facility. (Mecklenburg County)

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